Clip Scoop

ABSTRACT

A scoop has a bowl and a handle. The bowl has a bowl edge and a bowl width. The handle has a proximal handle edge connecting to the bowl edge. The handle has a distal handle edge opposite the proximal handle edge. The handle has a handle width. The handle has a clip with a clip base which connects the clip base to the distal handle edge. The clip protrudes from the distal handle edge toward the proximal handle edge. The clip has a free edge opposite the clip base. The handle width is from about 50% to about 100% of the bowl width.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/221,584, filed Jun. 30, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a clip scoop for dosing products andfastening to a flexible package.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Scoops have been used in various fields. For example, scoops have beenused in fabric and home care products such as detergents and fabricenhancers for dosing the correct amount. Detergents are normally packedin a package such as cartons, hard plastic containers, and flexiblepackages. Flexible packages are useful in maintaining not only thefreshness of the product stored, but also an aid in preventing moistureor air from entering the enclosed product. In addition, a flexiblepackage normally uses less material and costs less than a comparablecarton or hard plastic container.

For consumers to correctly dose a granular or particulate product, ascoop may be included with the product in the market. Such a scoop isgenerally included with the product in a package such as a carton and ahard plastic container but the container is not typically a flexiblepackage because such flexible containers are typically larger bags inwhich the scoop may be easily lost or buried therein. Accordingly, it issometimes easy for a consumer to misplace or lose a scoop between uses.It may be especially difficult to find a scoop in a package when theconsumer is again ready to use it, because the scoop can be buried inthe product in between uses. Also, when a consumer retrieves the scoopburied in the product, the product may adhere to the hand. The consumermay dislike this because it feels messy.

Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide ascoop which is easily fastened to the outside of a flexible packageand/or which reduces messiness on the scoop. In addition, the use of aclip may provide a closure mechanism to keep the products in theflexible package fresh without having to change the flexible packageitself or the flexible package material. Further, it is anotherobjective of the present invention to provide a scoop whose handlesecurely connects to the bowl to resist bending when a large amount ofsolid is scooped.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a scoop having a bowl and a handle. The bowlhas a bowl edge and a bowl width. The handle has a proximal handle edgeconnecting to the bowl edge. The handle has a distal handle edgeopposite the proximal handle edge. The handle has a handle width. Thehandle has a clip with a clip base which connects the clip base to thedistal handle edge. The clip protrudes from the distal handle edgetoward the proximal handle edge. The clip has a free edge opposite theclip base. The handle width is at least about 50% of the bowl width.

The invention also relates to a kit having a flexible package containinga product therein, and a scoop as described above.

The inventors have surprisingly found that the clip can help the scoopbe fastened to, for example, a flexible package. Without intending to bebound by a theory, the scoop of the present invention can be fastened tothe external surface of the flexible package and the consumers may notneed to return the scoop into the bag after use. Accordingly, theconsumer can easily retrieve the scoop whenever it is needed with littlechance of messiness. In addition, the orientation of the clip withrespect to the scoop may reduce the amount that the scoop protrudes fromthe package. This is especially useful in cases where the package isstored in a high-traffic area to reduce the chance that the scoop isknocked off of the package, and/or in a crammed area where there islittle overhead space. Further, the large handle width of the scoop mayhelp the scoop to securely connect to the bowl and resist bending when alarge amount of solid is scooped.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention willbe more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the writtenspecification and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is more readily understood by the attachednon-limiting drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a scoop of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the scoop of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the scoop of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the clip as seen along Line 4-4 inFIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a flexible package whose opening isfolded and fastened by the scoop of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the flexible package with the scoop ofFIG. 5 seen from the opposite side;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible package with the clipas seen along Line 7-7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an embodiment of grippers protruding from the bottom surfaceof the clip

FIG. 9 is an embodiment of grippers protruding from the bottom surfaceof the clip;

FIG. 10 is an embodiment of grippers protruding from the upper surfaceof the handle; and

FIG. 11 is a top view of the scoop of FIG. 1.

The drawings herein are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a scoop having a bowl and a handle. The bowlhas a bowl edge and a bowl width. The handle has a proximal handle edgeconnecting to the bowl edge, a distal handle edge opposite the proximalhandle edge, and a handle width. The handle has a clip with a clip basewhich connects the clip base to the distal handle edge. The clipprotrudes from the distal handle edge toward the proximal handle edge.The clip has a free edge opposite the clip base. The handle width is atleast about 50% of the bowl width.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a scoop of the presentinvention. The scoop, 20, has a bowl, 21, with a bowl edge, 22. Thebowl, 21, has a bowl bottom, 24. The bowl, 21, has a bowl front wall,25, connected to the bowl bottom, 24. The bowl, 21, has a first bowlsidewall, 26, connected to the bowl bottom, 24, and the bowl front wall,25. The bowl, 21, has a second bowl sidewall, 27, opposed to the firstbowl sidewall, 26, and connected to the bowl bottom, 24, and the bowlfront wall, 25. The bowl, 21, has a bowl back wall, 28, opposed to thebowl front wall, 25, and connected to the bowl bottom, 24, the firstbowl sidewall, 26, and the second bowl sidewall, 27. The bowl frontwall, 25, the first bowl sidewall, 26, the second bowl sidewall, 27, andthe bowl back wall, 28, start at the bowl bottom, 24, and terminate at abowl top edge, 29. The scoop, 20, extends in a top side, T, and in abottom side, B. The bowl top edge, 29, faces the top side, T.

The handle, 30, has a proximal handle edge, 31. The handle, 30, has adistal handle edge, 32, opposite the proximal handle edge, 31. Thehandle, 30, has a first side arm, 33, and a second side arm, 34,typically but not always substantially parallel to the first side arm,33, both of which extend perpendicular to the bowl, 21 in FIG. 1. Thefirst side arm, 33, and the second side arm, 34, start at the proximalhandle edge, 31, and join together and terminate at the distal handleedge, 32. The handle, 30, has a void, 35. The void, 35, is surrounded bythe proximal handle edge, 31, the distal handle edge, 32, the first sidearm, 33, and the second side arm, 34.

The handle, 30, has a clip, 40 therein. The clip, 40, protrudes from thedistal handle edge, 32, toward the proximal handle edge, 31. The clip,40, has a clip base, 41, connecting to the handle, 30, and a free edge,42. The clip, 40, typically has an undulation, 43, extending from theclip base, 41, toward the free edge, 42. The clip, 40, together with thehandle side arms, 33 and 34, may serve as a fastening device when thescoop, 20, is fastened to a flexible package. Without intending to bebound by theory, it is believed that as the clip is integrated with thehandle, the scoop does not need an extra material or device in order tofasten to the flexible package. As the clip protrudes from the distalhandle edge toward the proximal handle edge and the bowl, when the scoopis fastened to the flexible package, the clip, the handle side arms andthe bowl top edge may contact the external surface of the flexiblepackage. It leads to increased stability of contact (see FIG. 6). Asused herein, the phrase “protrudes from the distal handle edge towardthe proximal handle edge” indicates that the clip, 40, extends from thedistal handle edge, 32, generally towards the bowl, 21 (see also, FIG.11.).

In FIG. 1, the clip, 40, has an undulation, 43, extending from the clipbase, 41, toward the free edge, 42. The undulation, 43, has a convex,52, adjacent to the clip base, 41. The clip, 40, has a concave, 56,between the convex, 52, and the free edge, 42. Without intending to bebound by theory, it is believed that the undulation provides both afastening force on the flexible material as well as a small space wherethe rolled up flexible material may be held by the clip. This undulationalso reduces the chance that the clip will inadvertently fall or fly offof the flexible package during storage. It has been found that this typeof undulation holds the scoop onto a flexible package significantlybetter than a straight clip, as the clip's force is not translated intoas much lateral movement/force during storage, and/or when the flexiblematerial is bunched up underneath the clip.

The clip, 40, has a top surface, 46, and a bottom surface, 47, on theopposite side of the top surface, 46. The top surface, 46, is on the topside, T, of the scoop, 20 while the bottom surface, 47, is on the bottomside, B, of the scoop, 20. The convex, 52, is obliquely ascended in atop side direction from the clip base, 41. The concave, 56, is obliquelydescended in a bottom side direction from the convex, 52. The free edge,42, is again obliquely ascended in a top side direction from theconcave, 56. On the bottom side, B, of the convex, 52, there is areservoir space, 58.

The shape of the undulation, 43, on the top surface, 46, is also quiteergonomic in that it encourages a consumer to comfortably put his/herthumb on it and to hold the clip with the palm of the hand when theconsumer dispenses the product using the scoop. This in turn provides aleverage point which makes scooping easier and reduces finger and wriststrain as compared to when a clip is held only by the fingertips. Theshape of the bottom surface, 47, of the concave, 56, can serve as afastening part to a flexible package when the scoop fastens the flexiblepackage.

In FIG. 1, the bowl, 21, has optional measurement markings 70, in thefirst bowl sidewall, 26, the second bowl sidewall, 27, and/or the bowlfront wall, 25. The measurement markings, 70, can be used to enable theconsumer to define the amount of the product to be used for differentsituations; e.g., for large laundry loads, for very dirty loads, etc.

The bowl, 21, may have one or more stacking tab, 72, therein to alloweasy stacking and unstacking of the scoops during manufacturing and/orstorage. The stacking tab, 72, may be located inside the bowl, 21. Thebowl may have up to about 8 stacking tabs, from about 1 to about 6 tabs,or from about 2 to about 4 stacking tabs. The stacking tab may be asmall piece integrated with the bowl. The stacking tab should be smallenough not interfere with the dispensing effort and may be locatedprotruding from the bowl bottom. The stacking tab may have a height fromabout 3 mm to about 20 mm, from about 4 mm to about 15 mm, or from about5 mm to about 10 mm. Without intending to be bound by theory, thestacking tab may prevent sticking to the next one when a plurality ofscoops is stacked together. It is especially important in themanufacturing process of the scoops because the manufactured scoops canbe stacked in the manufacturing line. A plurality of scoops may bestacked one after another when they are put into a package in theflexible package's filling process. The bottom of an upper scoop may beplaced over the bottom of a lower scoop. The stacking tab located insidethe bowl may prevent sticking of two scoops because the stacking tab mayprovide a barrier so that the bottoms may not be contacted to eachother.

The overflow volume of the bowl, 21, is typically from about 5 mL toabout 450 mL, from about 20 mL to about 320 mL, or from about 30 mL toabout 150 mL. The overflow volume of the bowl, 21, can be measured bythe maximum volume of water which can be stably held in the scoop. Theperimeter of the bowl top edge, 29, of the scoop, 20, depicted in FIG.1, is approximately rectangular with rounded edge. The perimeter of thebowl top edge, 29, viewed from the top side, T, may be approximatelycircular, approximately oval, approximately polygonal (e.g., triangle,quadrangle, pentagon, hexagon, etc.), etc. with sharp, or roundedcorners as desired. These shapes can be chosen for their aesthetics, orfor certain functionality. For example, the scoop is included withgranular detergent products in a flexible package. A plurality offlexible packages can be stacked. Then the scoop included in the bottomflexible package may receive a heavy weight. Then the scoop inside theflexible package may tear the flexible package from inside. In such acase, a rounded corner shape may be gentle to the flexible package asthe corner has less sharp edges. In other cases, a sharp cornered scoopmay be preferable in order to match a certain package shape, and/or forgreater structural rigidity.

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom view of the scoop of FIG. 1. The clip has agripper, 60, at or around the concave, 56, of the clip, 40. The clip,40, has three grippers, 60, all of which are wavy lines. The gripper hasa height from the bottom surface, and it may be from about 0.1 mm toabout 5 mm, from about 0.2 mm to about 3 mm, or from about 0.3 mm toabout 2 mm. The grippers, 60, are protruded from the bottom surface, 47,of the clip, 40, and have a height of about 0.5 mm. The clip has atleast one gripper on the bottom surface. The gripper may be a rib, aline, and/or a dot, but it is not limited to them if the gripperprotrudes out of the clip. The clip may have from about 1 to about 20,from about 2 to 15 or from about 3 to about 10 grippers. The gripperincreases the friction against the flexible package when the scoop isfastened thereto. This reduces accidental slipping of the clip andaccidental opening of the package.

In FIG. 2, the bowl, 21, has a bowl width, W_(B). The bowl width, W_(B),is the largest distance between the first bowl sidewall, 26, and thesecond bowl sidewall, 27. The handle, 30, has a handle width, W_(H). Thehandle width, W_(H), is the largest distance from the outer edge of thefirst sidearm, 33, to the opposite outer edge of the second sidearm, 34.The bowl width, W_(B), may be larger than the handle width, W_(H). Thehandle width, W_(H), is at least about 50%, from about 50% to about150%, from about 60% to about 125%, or from about 70% to about 110% ofthe bowl width, W_(B). In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the handle width,W_(H), is approximately 87% of the bowl width, W_(B) As the handle widthW_(H), is large and almost equivalent to the bowl width, W_(B), thescoop of the present invention may be more stable to hold, may be moreresistant to bending under heavy loads, and may be easier to twistduring use—as when using the scoop to dig or loosen up caked powderdetergent from a bag. Further, the large handle width may serve toimprove handling for consumers to grab and use the scoop easily,especially for older people whose hands may be arthritic. Such anergonomic, wider handle may also provide greater leverage when using thescoop which makes the entire use of the scoop more pleasant.

The handle may also have a minimum handle width, W_(MIN), which is thesmallest width of the handle. W_(MIN) is located in between the proximalhandle edge, 31, and the distal handle edge, 32. The minimum handlewidth, W_(MIN), may be more than about 75%, from about 75% to about 99%,or from about 80% to about 95% of the handle width, W_(H). Withoutintending to be limited by theory, it is believed that a handle with anarrower minimum handle width is more ergonomic and comfortable to holdthan a handle whose width is constant along the entire length. However,as the minimum handle width, W_(MIN), gets too small, consumers maystart to have structural issues which may lead to breaking, orunacceptable bending of the handle. Thus, the minimum handle width,W_(MIN), herein balances ergonomics and structural stability to achieveoptimized results.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the scoop of FIG. 1. The free edge,42, is obliquely ascended from the concave, 56, to the top side, T. Thetop of the free edge, 42, may be separated from the plane formed by thetop side of the handle, 30, by height, h, which may be from about 2 mmto about 10 mm, from about 2.5 mm to about 8 mm, or from about 3 mm toabout 7 mm. This significantly improves the usability of the scoop, asit allows one-handed clipping of the scoop onto the flexible package bysimply sliding the top side of the handle down along the flexiblepackage until the clip engages and securely clips the flexible package.See also the discussion of FIG. 5, below.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the clip, as seen alongLine 4-4 in FIG. 2. The clip, 40, has a clip base, 41, connecting to thehandle, 30, and a free edge, 42. The clip base, 41, connects to thedistal handle edge, 32. The clip, 40, has an undulation, 43, extendingfrom the clip base, 41, toward the free edge, 42. When viewed from thetop side, T, the undulation, 43, has a sinusoidal shape containing aconvex, 52, and a concave, 56, adjacent to the convex, 52. In FIG. 4,the convex, 52, is located adjacent to the clip base, 41.

When a flexible package, see FIG. 5 at 100, is inserted into the scoop,20, it is slid between the clip, 40, and the handle, 30. The free edge,42, is above the handle, 30, and therefore a consumer can easily slide aflexible package (see FIG. 5 at 100) under the clip, 40, with one hand,and have it held in place by the clip, 40, the handle, 30, and/or thegrippers, 60.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a flexible package whoseopening is folded and fastened by the scoop of the present invention.When a consumer first opens the flexible package, 100, containing aproduct inside, a part of the flexible package, 100, is cut or torn awayto form an opening at the perimeter, 102. The opening is large enough touse the scoop, 20, to remove some product out of the flexible package,100. Then the open flexible package, 100, may need reclosing to avoidspillage of the product inside and/or to avoid, moisture or air enteringthe opened flexible package, 100.

The scoop, 20, may especially be fastened to a flexible package, 100,whose perimeter, 102, is rolled or folded over itself, at least once,twice, three times or four times in order to reclose the flexiblepackage, 100. In FIG. 5, the perimeter, 102, is folded over itself threetimes. In order to use the clip, 40, a flexible package, 100, is broughtclose to the free edge, 42, and the folded perimeter, 102, is thereafterguided into the undulation, 43, below the bottom surface, 47, by slidingthe flexible package, 100, toward the clip base, 41, past the free edge(see FIG. 6 at 42), the concave (see FIG. 6 at 56), and then into theclip's reservoir space (see FIG. 6 at 58), formed on the bottom side, B,of the scoop, 20, by the convex (see FIG. 6 at 52). Without intending tobe bound by theory, it is believed that this clip design reducesslipping of the scoop off of the flexible package during storage. Whenthe scoop, 20, is slid into the folded perimeter, 102, it prevents thefolded perimeter, 102, from re-opening. When the scoop, 20, is slid intothe folded perimeter, 102, the width of the fold may typically be fromabout 3 mm to about 30 mm, from about 4 mm to about 25 mm, or from about5 mm to about 20 mm. By fastening the folded perimeter, 102, below theconvex, 52, the scoop, 20, is fastened to the flexible package, 100, andthe closed status of the folded perimeter, 102, is maintained by thescoop, 20. Typically, the scoop herein reduces protruding of the scoopduring this process be keeping the top side of the scoop against theflexible package.

FIG. 6 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 5, viewed from the oppositedirection to show the clip, 40. The folded perimeter, 102, is fastenedby the clip, 40, of the scoop, 20. The convex, 52, provides a reservoirspace, 58, to accommodate the folded perimeter, 102. The undulation mayserve for better fixation of the scoop to the flexible package. The clipbase, 41, and the concave, 56, holds shut the folded perimeter, 102. Theclip, 40, protrudes from the distal handle edge, 32, toward the proximalhandle edge, 31. When the scoop, 20, is fastened to the flexiblepackage, 100, the bowl top edge, 29, may contact the flexible package,100, leading to an elevated contact surface of the scoop, 20, and theflexible package, 100. As a result, the clip herein further serves tostabilize the fastening of the scoop to the flexible package.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the flexible package withthe clip as seen along Line 7-7 in FIG. 6. When the clip, 40, isfastened to the folded perimeter, 102, of the flexible package, 100, oneor more grippers, 60, if present, likely contact the flexible package,100. The gripper, 60, may more securely fasten the clip, 40, to theflexible package, 100, by increasing the friction between the scoop, 20,and the flexible package, 100. This may help reduce and/or avoidslipping of the scoop, 20, from the flexible package, 100. The scoop,20, is slid into the folded perimeter, 102, between the clip, 40, andthe handle, 30. As the scoop, 20, is slid along the folded perimeter,102, of the flexible package, 100, the scoop, 20, may contact an edge ofthe folded perimeter, 102, at the clip base, 41. As the foldedperimeter, 102, comes to rest within the reservoir space, 58, the foldedperimeter, 102, may be locked between the convex, 52, and the handle,30. Consequently, the perimeter, 102, of the flexible package, 100, isfirmly held ensuring that the flexible package, 100, will not open orallow moisture and air to enter.

As to the free edge, 42, of the clip, 40, the flexibility of the clip,40, makes it easy for a user to slide a part of a flexible package, 100,into the reservoir space, 58, between the clip, 40, and the handle, 30.In FIG. 7, the clip, 40, has three grippers, 60, protruding from thebottom surface, 47.

In an embodiment herein, the clip base, 41, may be reinforced to preventor reduce breakage at this point. Since the clip, 40, flexes the most atthe clip base, 41, this is where much of the stress and strain isfocused during use and storage. Therefore, the clip base may bereinforced, by, for example, making this portion thicker, of a differentmaterial (e.g., more elastic, more rigid, etc. as desired), making thisportion thinner, and/or adding additional structural elements to addressthe stresses focused on this point. In an embodiment herein, the clipbase, 41, is from about 1% to about 100% thicker, or from about 5% toabout 50%, or from about 7% to about 25% thicker than the adjoiningportion of the clip, 40. In an embodiment herein, the clip base, 41, isfrom about 1% to about 100% thicker, or from about 5% to about 50%, orfrom about 7% to about 25% thicker than the adjoining portion of handle,30.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of grippers protruding from the bottomsurface, 47, of the clip, 40. The grippers, 160, of FIG. 8 are threeraised dots arranged in a line. The grippers, 160, are located at thepeak of the concave, 56, in order to maximize friction with the flexiblepackage, see FIG. 7 at 100. These grippers, 160, may reinforce thecontact of the scoop with the flexible package and may prevent slippage.

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of grippers protruding from thebottom surface, 47, of the clip, 40. The grippers, 260, of FIG. 9 arefour lines.

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of grippers protruding from the uppersurface, 46, of the handle, 30. The grippers, 360, of FIG. 10 are raiseddots and are located on the handle, 30, across from the peak of theconcave, 56 of the clip, 40. When the scoop is slid into the flexiblepackage, this gripper location may also increase the friction betweenthe scoop and the flexible package.

FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of the scoop of FIG. 1. The clip, 40, maybe formed so that the clip orientation crosses a space above the bowl,21. More specifically, the clip, 40, has an imaginary clip center line,L₁, connecting the center of the free edge, 42, and the center of theclip base, 41. The imaginary center line, L₁, may cross a space abovethe bowl, 21. This configuration can help the scoop, 20, better fastento the flexible package because a large amount of the bowl top edge, 29,may contact the flexible package. The clip, 40, extends directly towardsthe bowl, 21, and is substantially perpendicular thereto. The scoop, 20,extends in a horizontal line, L_(H), and in a vertical line, L_(V),perpendicular to the horizontal line, L_(H). Specifically, the clipcenter line, L₁, is perpendicular to the vertical line, L_(V). Withoutintending to be limited by theory, it is believed that such aperpendicular scoop may allow the most gripping, as the bowl top edgeand the handle may exert the most friction on the flexible package so asto reduce slippage therefrom when the scoop is clipped thereupon. Inanother embodiment, the clip, 40, extends towards the bowl, 21, but isoffset at a minor angle of from less than about +/−15°, less than about+/−10°, or less than about +/−7° from the perpendicular. When the clipis offset, the imaginary center line, L₁, may also be offset fromperpendicular to the bowl edge. Without intending to be limited bytheory, it is believed that such a small angle may allow easierone-handed clipping and may be customized for either left orright-handed use.

As described above, the grippers may be located on either the clip or onthe handle as desired, so that the grippers can contact the flexible bagand keep it from slippage.

The friction between the scoop and the flexible package may be increasedby increasing the coefficient of friction therebetween, such as bymodifying the scoop's surface finish and or by modifying the surfacematerial of the clip and/or the handle. In order to increase thefriction, at least a part of the flexible package may be coated by amaterial having a higher coefficient of friction than the unmodifiedflexible package, such as by adding rubber, a paraffin, a cellophane,etc. and may be added by a variety of processes known in theplastic-making art. In an embodiment herein, the gripper is made fromrubber which is co-injection-molded into the scoop itself.

The surface material and/or the coating material may be selected fromthe group consisting of polyvinyl, polypropylene, polycarbonate,polystyrene and polyesters.

As described above, the scoop herein may be fastened to a flexiblepackage, and especially can maintain the rolled or folded shape of theperimeter of a flexible package. After opening the flexible package, thescoop can be fastened to the external surface of the flexible package.Thus, the consumers can take the scoop off the package and use it easilywithout putting the hand into the flexible package for the scoop inside.

The clip may have a length from the clip base to the free edge, wherethe length is from about 2 cm to about 10 cm, from about 3 cm to about 9cm, or from about 4 cm to about 8 cm.

The scoop herein may be injection molded, which molding has theadvantages of providing a finished product which is both durable andsturdy.

The present invention further relates to a kit containing the scoop asdescribed above and a flexible package. A consumer can use the scoopherein together with a flexible package. After opening the flexiblepackage, the perimeter needs to be closed, e.g., by folding or rolling.The folded or rolled perimeter also needs fastening so that the productinside may not contact the external moisture or air. For the purpose,the scoop herein can be used to fasten the perimeter. When the kitherein is subject to distribution (e.g., retail stores), the scoop maybe contained inside the flexible package. Otherwise, the scoop may beattached to the external surface of the flexible package.

Additionally or alternatively, the flexible package may have a zipperclosure device for opening. The zipper closure device can be opened orclosed repeatedly without damaging the flexible package. When theflexible package is reclosed by the zipper closure device, the flexiblepackage can be completely closed and shut out of the externalenvironment. With a zipper closure device, it may be possible to protectthe product contained in the package from moisture or air withoutfolding or rolling the package.

The scoop herein may be formed of any suitable kind of material,typically a plastic material such as polyethylene, polypropylene,polystyrene, polyethylene terephthrate, polyester, polychlorovinyl, anda combination thereof, or polyethylene, polypropylene and a combinationthereof.

The flexible package may have a thickness from about 0.01 mm to about 5mm, from about 0.02 mm to about 4 mm, or from about 0.03 mm to about 3mm. The material used for the flexible package may include, but notlimited to, a thermoplastic material (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene,polystyrene, polyester, polychlorovinyl, etc.), a paper material (e.g.,paper, cardboard. etc.), a rubber material, and the like. The flexiblepackage may contain a product selected from the group consisting of asolid product, a liquid product and/or a gel product. The product hereinmay be a unitized dose product, such as a tablet, a geltab, adissolvable pouch, and/or a combination thereof. In an embodiment hereinthe product is a solid product, especially a granular product. Theproduct may include, e.g., a fabric detergent, a fabric enhancer, a hardsurface detergent, a bleach, a coffee bean, a coffee powder, a milkpowder, a pet food, etc.

The scoop herein may be transparent, translucent or opaque. The scoopherein may contain at least one color, and may contain from two to fivecolors. Such colors may be indicate different parts of the scoop,different materials, indicate origin or branding, be purely foraesthetic reasons, etc.

It is understood that the examples and embodiments described herein arefor illustrative purpose only and that various modifications or changeswill be suggested to one skilled in the art without departing from thescope of the present invention.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm”.

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation ofany document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect toany invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in anycombination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests ordiscloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning ordefinition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shallgovern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

1. A scoop comprising: (1) a bowl comprising a bowl edge and a bowlwidth; and (2) a handle comprising: (i) a proximal handle edgeconnecting to the bowl edge; (ii) a distal handle edge opposite theproximal handle edge; and (iii) a handle width, wherein the handlecomprises a clip comprising a clip base connected to the distal handleedge, the clip protruding from the distal handle edge toward theproximal handle edge, and wherein the clip comprises a free edgeopposite the clip base, wherein the handle width is at least about 50%of the bowl width.
 2. The scoop according to claim 1, wherein the handlewidth is from about 50% to about 150% of the bowl width.
 3. The scoopaccording to claim 1, wherein the clip further comprises an undulationextending from the clip base toward the free edge.
 4. The scoopaccording to claim 3, wherein the undulation comprises a sinusoidalshape comprising a convex portion and a concave portion adjacent to theconvex shape.
 5. The scoop according to claim 1, the handle comprising afirst side arm and a second side arm substantially parallel to the firstside arm, wherein the first side arm and the second side arm each extendfrom the proximal handle edge to the distal handle edge.
 6. The scoopaccording to claim 1, wherein the scoop further comprises a top side anda bottom side, wherein the clip is obliquely ascended from the concaveto the free edge in the top side direction.
 7. The scoop according toclaim 1, further comprising at least one gripper.
 8. The scoop accordingto claim 7, wherein the gripper is selected from the group consisting ofa rib, a dot, a line and a mixture thereof.
 9. The scoop according toclaim 7, wherein the gripper is located on the clip.
 10. The scoopaccording to claim 7, wherein the gripper is located on the handle. 11.The scoop of claim 1, wherein the bowl comprises a top edge perimetercomprising a shape selected from the group consisting of a rectangle, acircle, an oval, a polygonal and a combination thereof.
 12. The scoopaccording to claim 1, wherein the scoop comprises a plastic.
 13. Thescoop according to claim 12, wherein the plastic is selected from thegroup consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene,polyethylene terephthrate, polyester, polychlorovinyl, and a combinationthereof.
 14. The scoop according to claim 1, the clip comprising alength from the base to the free edge, wherein the length is from about2 cm to about 10 cm.
 15. The scoop according to claim 1, wherein thebowl has an overflow volume of from about 5 mL to about 450 mL.
 16. Akit comprising (1) a flexible package comprising a product therein and(2) a scoop according to claim
 1. 17. The kit according to claim 16,wherein the flexible package comprises a product selected from the groupconsisting of a granular product, a liquid product and a tablet product.